Conditions:Other that some drifting ice off in the distance on Lake Erie, our area is slowly making the transition to Spring....very slowly. Area tribs have dropped with nearly all of the snow run off complete. Most areas are very clear and on the low side although flow remains fair to good in many areas. Steelhead are scattered but there are still plenty to be found, especially near or on the lake shore. The extended cold weather conditions have kept a good number of fish in the tribs and allowed the influx of a fair number of fresh steelhead and cold weather is in the forecast for the next week or so. West County trib conditions as of this writing were clear with good flow.

Support Your Local Sportsmen's Clubs:The Pennsylvania Steelhead Association will be holding their monthly meeting on Wednesday April 13th at the American Legion Post on West 12th street (route 5 near the Airport) at 7:00 PM. The public is welcome.

Trophy Bass Season on Lake Erie:

Trophy bass season on Lake Erie, it's tributaries, and Presque Isle bay begins April 16th and extends through June 17th. Minimum size during this period is 20" with a one fish daily creel limit. Along with this is unlawful to conduct or participate in a fishing tournament for bass on Lake Erie or Presque Isle Bay during the period from opening day of the trout season in April until midnight the first Saturday after June 11.

The Big Day is Fast Approaching:

Opening day of the regular trout season is April 16th at 8:00 am. The Erie Tribs are a great place for the opener. With the stocked trout mixed in with a potential run of fresh Steelhead, angling in our area can be can be a real springtime smorgasbord. Popular areas in West County for the opener are include the Streuchen Flats area on Elk Creek. This area has plenty of parking and generally decent elbow room. The Glosky hole on Crooked Creek, the Fairview Gravel Pit pond and the Whiteman's Bridge, Legion Park, Struchen Flats and Mckean hole areas on Elk Creek are all good areas with the Gravel Pit pond in Fairview leading as the spot with the least elbow room but arguably the best place for traditional opener.

A good rule of thumb is to look for the areas where there is a lot of parking. The number of parking spaces and vehicles is generally in direct correlation to the number of fish stocked in those waters. The large hole off the Mckean exit is a very popular area with adequate parking. Lake Pleasant along with the Waterworks Ponds at Presque Isle State Park are also well stocked and are great family areas for the opener.

A Few Words of Caution for Opening Day:Anglers fishing the Fairview Gravel pit pond and Lake Pleasant are reminded that these areas are Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission controlled property. Open fires, camping and cooking are prohibited, as is erecting any permanent structures. Pets are permitted on Commission Property but must be on a leash. Leaving ones vehicle unattended at the Gravel Pit pond on order to reserve a spot can be considered an abandoned motor vehicle and dealt with accordingly. Anglers fishing that these congested areas on opening day are reminded that PFBC owned or controlled properties are specifically set aside for fishing and boating activities.

Officers will be on the lookout for litter problems and open fires in these busy areas. All boats on the Gravel Pit Pond, as well as all PFBC owned or regulated waters, require PFBC or DCNR State Parks registration. Internal combustion engines are not permitted on Commission owned waters, although electric motors are permitted. Water temperatures will still be ice cold on opening day. Make sure your safety equipment is in order. A PFD is required for all persons on board on all boats. They must be U.S. Coast Guard approved, in good serviceable condition and be easily accessible to all occupants. Officers will be checking boats for safety equipment.

A good rule of thumb is to look for the areas where there is a lot of parking. The number of parking spaces and vehicles is generally in direct correlation to the number of fish stocked in those waters. The large hole off the Mckean exit is a very popular area with adequate parking. Lake Pleasant along with the Waterworks Ponds at Presque Isle State Park are also well stocked and are great family areas for the opener.

Annual Open House at the Linesville State Fish Hatchery:The annual Linesville State Fish Hatchery open house is scheduled for April 2nd from 11:00 AM 3:30 PM PM. The Hatchery and Visitor center are located at 13300 Hartstown Road. This annual is event is a must attend event for the angling family, those new to fishing, and anyone infested in an afternoon of fun and education. View the 10,000 gallon viewing tank filled with trophy fish. Some of the events include kids casting; rigging a rod; filleting and cooking demonstrations; live reptiles and amphibians; fish spawning; lake habitat models; talk to agency personnel from boating and education, law enforcement, fisheries management, biologists, habitat management, environmental services, many others; and much more. See you there !

Directions to the Linesville State Fish Hatchery Coming from the East From the intersection of I-80 and I-79, go north on I-79 to exit 147-B at Meadville. Take St. Rt. 322/6 west to Conneaut Lake. Take Rt. 6 west to Linesville. In the middle of town, turn left at the traffic light (Hartstown Rd.) and go one mile to the hatchery on the left.

Directions to the Linesville State Fish Hatchery Coming from the West From Ohio, follow St. Rt. 6 to Ohio Rt. 85. This road goes over the causeway of Pymatuning Reservoir and turns into PA Rt. 285 at the state line in the middle of the reservoir. Take St. Rt. 285 to the 2nd flashing light at Hartstown Road. Romar Homes is on the corner at this intersection. Turn left and continue past the spillway (one mile), past the Pa Game Commission's Pymatuning Wildlife Learning Center approximately one mile to the hatchery on the right.

Local Weather:

Wednesday Night...Mostly cloudy. A chance of light rain or snow in the evening. Lows in the mid 20s. North winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation 30 percent.